Next Steps

2009 Nissan GT-R Coupe

Benefits of Driving a 2009 Nissan GT-R Coupe

For the money, there's not much to touch the 2009 Nissan GT-R. With all-wheel drive, 480 horsepower, and plenty of advanced gadgetry contained beneath its attractive aluminum body, it offers Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo performance at half the price, and it's a far more refined car than the Corvette Z06 for about the same money. The GT-R is a supercar, to be sure, and must be considered the bargain of the year.

What's new for 2009?

The 2009 Nissan GT-R can trace its roots back to 1964 and the 2000GT, a hotted-up sedan the company took racing against the world. Since then, several versions have evolved, but never for America, and all of them have die-hard devotees. The all-new GT-R furthers the Nissan sporting tradition--in spades--and is finally coming to the U.S.

Model Strengths

Longstanding cult following from previous iterations

highly advanced all-wheel drive system

480 horsepower V6

trick manual transmission with automatic mode

aggressive, angry styling.

Model Review

When word first leaked in 2004 that Nissan might revive the GT-R name, the buzz evolved into a loud roar, particularly when the prototype was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show the following year. Speculation as to the car's capabilities has been rampant ever since, and Nissan has delivered.

2009 Nissan GT-R Coupe

Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R has been the dream car of many American enthusiasts since it was introduced in the Gran Turismo series of video games. A favorite among armchair racers, the digital GT-R was a cinch to drive, with impressive all-wheel-drive handling and plenty of power. Many longed to bring this video-game car to life, and now Nissan has done just that.

Much like the virtual machine, the new Nissan GT-R seems to defy the laws of physics. According to its stats, this is one of the fastest, best handling street-legal cars available. Based on our first drive in the new GT-R, we can tell you those stats don’t lie.

Exotic Performance, Common LooksTake a look at the performance numbers of the new GT-R and you’d swear they belong to a European exotic with a triple-digit price tag. Sixty mph is reached in less than 3.5 seconds, top speed just shy of 200 mph, cornering in excess of 1g and braking from 60 to a standstill in less than 110 feet.

We didn’t try to prove the top speed stat, but the acceleration figures seem about right to us. With the transmission in automatic mode you just floor the accelerator. The GT-R takes off like a shot without any wheelspin. A multifunction screen provides a number of telemetry figures. According to the readout, the GT-R pulled 1.3 Gs on the track. Without question, this car is the real deal.

From a styling standpoint, the new-to-our shores GT-R is considerably understated. We barely noticed one of our colleagues in a dark gray version, since the GT-R tends to blend in with other traffic. We drew few stares from other drivers, although those who knew what it was were impressed. Cars with similar performance such as the Porsche 911 Turbo or a Dodge Viper will attract considerably more attention.

It may not have lines like an Italian exotic, but almost everything about the GT-R’s design is functional. Vents in the hood provide cooling, while the "aero blades" around the front fenders help with air flow. A rear spoiler and under-body diffuser help give the GT-R a low .27 coefficient of drag while at the same time providing downforce at all four corners.

Also rather un-exotic about the GT-R is its sound — or lack thereof. At idle there’s hardly any noise at all, and even full-throttle inside the car is a non-event from an acoustic standpoint. There may be some buyers who wish to stand out more, but there are obvious advantages to not drawing a lot of attention in a car this fast.

The best part of the GT-R story: It’s comfortable and usable enough to drive every day. The suspension can be adjusted to smooth bumps in the road, the seats are supportive, and while a louder exhaust would be nice, the quiet interior is welcome for long road trips. The trunk is quite deep, and capable of handling the requisite two golf bags. The rear seat actually has decent legroom, but at 5’8" my chin was in my chest to keep my head from hitting the rear window.

Handmade PowertrainUnlike previous generations (which were not sold in the U.S.), the newest GT-R rides on a unique platform. Underhood is a hand-built 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces a claimed 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The sequential 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox is also hand built, and can be operated in automatic mode or shifted via paddles on the steering column.

There are three driver-selectable transmission modes, with R-Mode providing the fastest shifts — just 0.2 seconds. We left the gearbox in automatic mode for most of our drive, and downshifts and upshifts seemed to occur at just the right time. Unlike some other automatically shifting manual transmissions on the market, the GT-R’s gearbox is incredibly smooth, and even at full throttle shifts are barely noticed.

Traction ActionOf course none of this matters if you can’t get power to the pavement, and the GT-R provides little drama in this respect. Traction is handled by a sophisticated, electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system routed through a 4-wheel independent suspension. The setup typically sends 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels, but, depending on conditions, the front-rear torque split can vary up to 50-50.

With triple-digit speeds mere seconds away, suitable brakes become a high priority. The GT-R gets its stopping power from Brembo, with mono-block calipers (six-piston up front and four-piston rears) gripping cross-drilled 15-inch rotors. After several hours at the track, braking was as consistent as when we started the day.

Bang for Your BuckEven when driven hard at the track, the GT-R is very forgiving. The coupe’s handling is so neutral that it’s easy to get the feeling you can do no wrong in this car. But what makes the GT-R truly amazing is the price, which starts at $69,850. For about $2,000 more you can add an upgraded Bose audio system, heated front seats and side-curtain airbags. A Dunlop all-season tire is also available, as is a hand-polished Super Silver Paint.

One of the few downsides to the GT-R is availability: Only 1,500 are expected to come stateside each year, so most GT-R fans will have to continue to experience this impressive machine via their game consoles.

Perry Stern's automotive career began 17 years ago as an advisor at a vehicle consulting firm. One of the original staff members of CarPoint, Microsoft's automotive Web site that launched in 1995, he became editor of the site in 2002, which is now known as MSN Autos. Stern has also contributed to MSNBC and various MSN properties in Canada, Japan and Europe.

Road Visibility

Accident Prevention

Security

2009 Nissan GT-R Coupe

Original Warranty

Original Warranty

An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment.

The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including:

Basic Warranty:

Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters.

Drivetrain Warranty:

This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be.

Roadside Assistance:

The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car.

Corrosion Warranty:

This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal.

Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.

Basic

3 Years/36,000 Miles

Drivetrain

5 Years/60,000 Miles

Nissan Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points.

Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer.

Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include:

Age/Mileage Eligibility

To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers.

Lease Term Certified

Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less.

Point Inspection

These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details.

Return/Exchange Program

Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car.

Roadside Assistance

Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty.

Special Financing

Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers.

Transferable Warranty

When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect.

Warranty Deductible

This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.

7-year/100,000 mile limited warranty. Only Nissan models less than 6 years old and under 80,000 miles qualify for the Nissan Certified Pre-Owned program. The CARFAX® Vehicle History Report ensures your vehicle has a clean title history.